Usyk: I box for everyone who is now defending our country

WBA/WBO/IBF/IBO World Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk said that he was motivated to enter the ring by Ukrainian soldiers who are fighting against the Russian invaders.

“I box for all those who are now defending our country, and in memory of those warriors who are no longer with us. Also for all those who want to be free and who stood up for their country against those who came to conquer us.”

Earlier, Usyk announced a fundraiser for the restoration of an apartment building in Irpin destroyed by the Russian army. The boxer will personally donate 8 million hryvnia and plans to raise another 4 million. Usyk’s promoter Oleksandr Krasyuk said that the boxer donated much more than the announced amount of 14 million to restore the cities of Ukraine destroyed by the Russian army.

Also, the Ukrainian boxer’s fund held an auction together with the QMALL cryptocurrency exchange. The entire proceeds – 500 thousand hryvnia – will be transferred to the humanitarian needs of Ukraine.

Usyk is preparing for a fight for the title of absolute world champion with WBC belt holder Tyson Fury. The boxers plan to hold a face-to-face fight for the title of absolute world champion on April 29 in London at Wembley Stadium. At the same time, promoter Eddie Hearn believes that the fight will still be held in Saudi Arabia.

Promoter Frank Warren has said that if negotiations for a unification bout between Usyk and Fury are not finalized soon, he will explore other options for his client. The British father, John Fury, is sure that the distribution of the fee should be 60/40 in favor of Tyson, while the Ukrainian side wants 50/50.